We’re headed to the Convention Center this afternoon to check everything out and we’ll be back with a report either later tonight or Sunday. And no, I’m not going to be asking questions [like these]:

“Why is it that, anytime you get somebody decent like Jason Bay, you have to get rid of him?” came the first question.

The next was more of a speech: “I just don’t understand how anyone can say this team will be better than it was last year. The bench is going to be worse. The outfield will be worse. The pitching … if there’s any breakdown at all on this team, it will lose 110 games.”

A youngster followed with a predictable one: “Are you going to trade Jack Wilson?”

And, when another questioner asked why the Pirates had not yet re-signed Doug Mientkiewicz, the assembly broke into loud applause before anyone on stage could answer.

Some people clearly have not been paying attention. The [PG] and [Trib] both have solid day 1 wrapups. The best part: Frank Coonely is a stud:

“Matt Wieters was named minor league player of the year. He should be a Pirate. We can’t make mistakes like that in the future.”